Inter-geared means for adjusting plural crank arm lengths in gas meters



Sept. 22, 1942. A, s, Mcm-URE INTER-GEARED MEANS FOR ADJUSTING PLURAL CRANK ARM LENGTHS IN GAS METERS 'Filed April 22. 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l "Vila,

Sept. 22, 1942. A. s. MCINTIRE 2,296,477

INTER-GEARED MEANS FOR ADJUSATING PLURAL CRANK ARM LENGTHS IN GAS METERS Filed April 22, 1941 2 VSheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 22, 1942 UNITED STAT-Esi Pri-TarihJ OFFICE lNTERl-'GEARED MEANS FOR ADJUSTING PLURAL CRANK' ARM LENGTHS- IN GAS Arthur lS.'McI1I1`-tir'e,` Bridgeport, Conn, as signor to The 'Sprague AMeter fCompany, Bridgeport, Conn.; a corporation of Connecticut Application April 22, 1941, serial No. 389,717

This invention relates to-mech'anisms for varyf ing simultaneously and to like. extent 'the distance through which multiple diaphragmsina gas meter are permitted to reciprocate'while simultaneouslylinked toamultiple armed crank which assists in f transmitting 'f the diaphragm" movements to the register of the meters One object of these improvements `isto-pro vide means -wherebythe' adjustivelshifting of some preferably single element which" is accessi.-

ble through an opening -inth'e meter `Wall shall' produce a 4like ichangef in ythe eifective length o1" throw of plural crank yarms *with* respect to' plural diaphragms, frespectively, andina mechanism where lsuch diaphragms :are connected- "to such `crank armsl by separate 'pitmar'r links;v

A- further object `is topr'o'vide means 'forrvarying, and preferably tdlike'extent'fthe' radially distances from the axis of `a-crankto a plurality" of circumferentially spaced crank vpins "or like pivotaldevices carried by" the crank in amchanism vWhere such pivotal devices' are en'gagedy re" spectively by a plurality of pitmart-links'whos'e f paths of vswinging 'travel overlap .inf neighboring parallel planes."

A'still 4further object is-toprovide" simple 'in`" tergeared means' for simultaneouslylvaryin'gtof like extent the effective lengthsof twb'angula'rly related crank` arms for `purpvises "analogous" to those explainedin the -copending' :application of' Arthur S. Mcntire; Serial fNo; 219,851 g ld" 'July The above'andrelated'objects areexplaihed in greater detail in the 'following' description' of structure illustrative of one-possible form'of the`v invention, in which descriptionrefe'rence '"is had to theaccompanying-drawings wl'ierein:`

Fig. 1 is'a vviewin`sideelevatio'n of the diaphragm operatedV crank"Y mechanism "within a Sprague type "of `gas 'meten the meter' 'casing,-

framework and certain of Vthe"associated-valve operating apparatus being broken awayand shcwnin section.

Fig-2 is a plan view taken in 'section on the planes 2-2-2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig-3 is an enlarged perspective view: of the assembled bearing bracket, crank shaftV and crank arm removed from themeter of: Fig. 1.-

Fig. 4 is' an exploded `perspective -View,. corre-` sponding in scale and position with'Fig. 3, showing one of the diaphragm,r connecting links with.v its'adjustable crank connection-collar separated therefrom.

Fig-'5 is a perspective' view,corresp'ondiigfin .55

scale-and'position to Figs. 3 and 4, showing the` crank plate and its carried parts.-

Fig.- 6 isv anexploded perspective view, corresponding-in scale and position to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, showing the other diaphragm connecting tlink with separated retaining means therefor.

Fig'. 11 is .a fragmentary plan view taken in# section on the plane II-II "in Fig.- 9,

Fig. 12 4is a fragmentary view taken in sectionv on-the plane -IZ-IZ in Fig. 10, looking in the-l direction of the arrows.

Fig' f=13 is a View similarto Fig.- 10 drawn onlv a reduced scale showing the I effective lengths of .the crankarms increased yto a maximum.-

Fig.. 14 is a View similar to Fig.--13'showing -theei'ctive lengths of -thecrankfarms reducedtoV a minimum.

Fig. 15 isa plan View similar to FigflO showing a modified construction -of the intergearin'g connections.

Fig.`16 isv a fragmentary perspective xvieW of the adjustable connection between the "crank structure and its shaft.

Figs-1 and 2 illustrate a typical gasmeter of the Sprague type in-Which the` present improve` mentsmay be incorporated.- Such `meter` may include-a casing .VII containingthree gas `Ineas-` uring chambersv l2, I3 and-14, a distributingv chamber I5 andv an exhaustpassageway I6.

The usual flexible diaphragms 24 and` 25Y separateadjacent measuring chambers I2, I3 vand I3, I4, respectively.

A centrally-hollowed-out valve `dijs'c I9 gyrat'es' edgewise'in sliding contact with-the upper valve seat edges `of partitions 20 which-separate ladjacent passageways providing communication bei tween distributing Ichamber I5A and measuring' chambers I2, I3 and I4. This serves' to open an'd close -thesepassageways in 'predetermined se`` quence and vtimed relationship: Valve 'disc I9 f further actsY as a valve to control communication'f between they said 'passageways'and 'a central well 2I giving to the exhaust passageway" I6. By"- this valve action of disc I9, the flow of gas into and out of the measuring chambers is governed in a manner to cause reciprocative excursion of dliaphragms 2li and 25 in a manner that is fully described in U. S. Patent No. 122,390, granted March 10, 1903, to Henry H. Sprague.

Disc I9 further carries a projecting boss 26 which revolves therewith and rotatively drives the radial arm 21 of the meter register 28 located at the top front portion of the meter. The bottom end of boss 26 is pivotally engaged by an upstanding driving pin 29 which revolves with the vertical crank shaft 39. This shaft is journaled in a bearing bracket 3| which depends from and is removably mounted inflxed relation to the interior frame-work of the meter; p

All of the meter parts and apparatus so far mentioned may be constructed and operate as is explained in greater detail in the copending ap-l thereat a crank structurel indicated as a Whole by 33, shown most fully in Figs. 3, 5, 8, V9, 13 and 14. This crank structure -is pivotally connected by pitman links 35, 35 to diaphragms 24 and 25, respectively, as best shown inv Figs. 1 and 2. The central portions of these diaphragms are seen to include disc-like plates 24a' and 25a. lclamping between them the flexible leather of the diaphragms and carrying respectively theV hinge brackets 36 and 31. As in older vpatented constructions of the Sprague meter, and for steadying and guiding each diaphragm inA a definite path of back-and-forth movement, the hinge brackets 35 and 31 are movably guided frespectively by bent-rod arms 38 and 39 which are swingably mounted, respectively, in'stationary hinge brackets 59 and 4| secured to walls of the casing structure Awithin the central measuring chamber.

The beforementioned ptman links 34 and 35 have their diaphragm connecting ends pivotally coupled with the diaphragm carried hinge brackets 36 and 31, respectively, and their opposite ends are pivotallycoupled with the crank structure-33.V Important features of this crank structure asv operatively related to pitman links 34 and 35 are novel with this invention.

The crank structure 33 includes a compositev holding arm indicated as a whole by 45 which includes a rigid channel member 46 having an adjustment permitting fltrupon shaft 39 below bracket 3l. Channel member 46 contains, sandwiched between its top and bottom flanges and flllingrthe space therebetween, a rocking lever 41 for purposes of holding member 46 in variously adjusted rotative relationships on shaft 39. This rocking lever is fixed in position on shaft 39' Further details of the construction at this point..

in the mechanism are described in a copending application of Fairchild Whitworth filed April 9, 1941, Serial No. 387,649. y A flatted hole 55 throughthe topand bottom flanges of the free end, of channel member. 96 may thusbe swung adjustively to different positively maintained rotative positions on shaft 39 by turning screw 48. This or equivalent means of adjustment is employed for timing or synchronizing the opening and closing of the ports or passageways controlled by the gyratory movement of disc i9 in relation to the excursions of movement performed by the diaphragms.

All the rest of the crank structure 33 is xedly ,suspended from and axially spaced in relation to holding arm 45 by means of a vertical post 51 whose upper portion is flatted at 58 to fit tightly inthe flatted holes 56 in the flanges of member 46. As shown in Fig. 9, a sleeve 56 surrounds pin 51 and internally reinforces the flanges of is set up in threaded engagement with the top end `54 of pin 51 for firmly clamping member 46 against the shoulders on pin 51 afforded by the bottom ends of the flats 5S. The lower end of post 51 may be fixedly embedded in the thickened terminus 53 of one bran'ch of a die castingforming the crank plate 59.v Othery suitable means formaking post 51 fast both to channel member i6 and crank plate 59 may-be employed. However, by the construction described, crank plate 59 while removable for repair is at all times carried as rrigidly and held as fixedly in spaced relation to holding arm 45 as though these two sections of the crank structure 33 constituted an integral structure.

Crank plate 59 is provided with an elongated cutout 62 whose opposite'edges are bordered at top and bottom by ridge-like guideways 6l along which a block 64 may adjustably be moved. Block 64 is preferable cylindrical and fills the Vwidth of cut-out 62 with a sliding fit.` This block is provided with an enlargedoverhanging head 63 which rests upon top guideways 6I and further has a downward extending shank 19 threaded for some distance from its lower end. Shank 19 is rmly maintained in perpendicular relationship to the plane lof rotation of crank plate 59 by means of a thrust washer 92 which slidably surrounds block 64 and is constantly thrust upward against the bottom guideways 51 on crank plate 59 through the medium offa collar 5! and a washer 83 by the expansive force of a coil spring 84 retained by nut 85 having threaded engagement with shank 19. Nut 85 is guarded against excessive loosening by a horseshoe type of vspring retainer 85 lodged in a groove cut in the threaded portion of shank 19. Collar 8l and Washer 82 are freely slidable on shank 19. It will beobserved that the thickness of thrust washer 32 is such that collar 8l exerts its thrust thereupon instead of against the shoulder where shank 19 joins block 69. Thus spring 34 acts to keep the plate guideways'il squeezed between the block head 53 and thrust washer 82 so as to prevent all playbetween these parts and hold them steady in every adjusted position while affording frietionally opposed slidability to block 611 lengthwise of cut-out 52 in a straight path radial to the crank axis X.

Block 64 ismoved to and held in selective stations lengthwise of cut-out 62 by the adjuster screw 12, one section of whose length occupies this cut-out centrally and has threaded engagement with a tapped hole in block 65. An unthreaded section 14; of the length of screw 12 is rotatably embedded in the material of the crank plate with a small enough degree of resistive tightness to enable said screw to be turned by means of its projecting Vhead 15 which is flatted or squared to receive a vsocket Wrench'or other YSuitabletoolnr Such tool `preferably;may Ialso 't and'turn'the head ofthe'hereinbef'ore mentioned (notshown) valve timing :adjustment screw 549.? Along-,the unthreaded shank 14` ofy screw 12, tliisf'isha'nk sur-1 face is roughened by knurlingas fat f13`n. a portion occupying one end Sofa .three-part opening.

11 in crank plateV 59." Thisopening accommo dates, and the side` wallsof one :of its .Wings Spr` vide axial thrust for, a smallibevel ypinion' `18 be noted in Fig. 2 that 4the Isquaredfor flatted heads of screws 49 and 12 can both and atthe same time project toward a casing opening 42 `l0 which "is pressed vtightly and fxedlyonto the roughened periphery of' screw'shank 14'.' It may l to the bushing Y8| so that the'radialv distances from the axis of; rotation of crank-structure. 33 to the point of'pivotal connection of 'link 35 'to the crank structure. varies with adjustive movementzof block 64 -alongits guiding plate cut-out 62p Th'eobjective of using intergeared means. to cause, a similar change. in the radial distance from theaforesaid axis of crank Irotationrto the point of. pivotal connection of pitr'nan -link34 to the crank structure is accomplished byv' devices forming particular `features of this invention.`

Thelbeforementioned post 51 islsurroundedby a hollow, inverted, cup-shapedjshiftable collar 81 that functions for the `purpose of--an adjustable crank pin. The. roofvwall of collar 81 contains an elongated -diametrically `extending slot 88.1Y Post 511 extends "through this slot,being of crossl sectional size: to ll the l.width thereof and to permit lateral'sliding of collar 81y relative to po'st 51. But `the slidabilityv of collar 81 is strictly limited 'to Va direction radially aligned with the axis ofvrrotation of crank plate 59'lby the engagement of anolset and downward extending-'lug'89onicollar 81` vwith bothsides of a rectangularraperture 9| in crank lplate 59. The

cylindrical portion 99 of shiftable collar 81 is pivotally engaged by pitman linkr34 andis seenA The intergeared mechanism 'for'l imparting radial adjustive'movement to collar 81 'simul-' at its left extremity in-Fig. 12. Pinion 94 -and pinion 18 are operatively coupledforl turning in unison inthe same. rotative directions by means of idler pinion 95 which is' fixed'to: a stub shaft 96 having free/bearing at! both endsin the metal of crank plate59." Pinio`ns18,v 95'and 94 Voccupy adjacent sections of lthebeforementioned opening 11 in ythe'crank plate.' Side walls of this openingV atl each'endY of -each vpinion serve as thrust` bearings to 'maintain' 'proper -intermeshing mentof screws 12' and 93.'I

Inithe' operation of the: meter the adjustable 2' crank "pin Adevicell, 19,'etc`. and also the collar` device 81lare cooperatively pushed and pull'ed" by: the' diaphragmumotivated .'pitman. linksf 34 and V35""insuch manner as to impel'crank struc-v ture 33 zcontinually ini -a const'ant'dire'ction-V of rotationfso. long-as gasvcon'tinues to pass into/and out ofmeasuring chambers I2,"` I3 or I4.l Shaft] 30- and 'itseccentrically carried drive pin 29Y thereby. cause valve disc I9 to gyrate ledgewis'e" across.' the.. top f edges of. 'partitions 20 Fini a manner to Lopen up and cutoff fluid' communication'A not only between distributin'gchamber I5 and-the passageways which leadto themeasuringcham;- bers `butalso between these measuring chambers and 'thelicentral` well 2I. In .the -usual lmanner of theSprague typ'e of -meter,valve 4disc I9 thuscontrols and times the intake and outputofgas;y with respect' to'each o-f the measuring.chambers.'` The disc carried boss 26 as usualimpels a radialarmv 21 to drive'the register 28.1'

If this V` timing ofthe intake and output ofgas` is found `to require' correction, screw'plug-43 may I bevremoved from'it's' hole 42 inthe-meter 'casing` Wall andY a wrench (not shown) may be inserted f with a test `standard it is found that theregister. indication is incorrect;y for the true amount .of 4gas which has passed throughthemeter; the

samefwrench may be -employed at the same time to turn' adjuster screw-.12 in eitherr direction. This .1.Wil1islidefblockr64 either toward oraway fromff'thelaxisf offfshaft 30.u At'the same time,

bevel pinion 18 will'turn bevel pinion 94 through' the medium ofidlerpin'ion95 so as simultaneously to shift 'the 'collar-1 device 81. 'toward or away'4 from/thissamefaxis of the crank structure an i amounti exactly equal tov the corresponding adjustivefmovement of fcr'ank pin deviceA 64'.' The threads`on-'screw's112'and 93 are such that block 64 -and collar device 81 move simultaneously.' through'exactly equal' distances either toward or` away/frmlcrank' axis X.' A strong frictional cling' off'fblo'ck-head 63 and thrust Washer' 82y to" theiguidewaysI`v under the pressure lexertin'g urgeof sp-ring- 84 'provides lsuicient resistance` to any accidental turning` of screws' 12 and 93 y'dependably to maintain whatever adjustmentlf'is"v The i above ydescribed simultaneous' adjustment of 'the f distances from Athe `crank "axis X'to the points of pivotal Connections of both links 34 and 35 'will'be seen to alter to exactly like extent the distancetlirough`which each of diaphragms 24 and-525 moves corresponding to one -full revolution of crank structure 33. The-#passage of va given volume of gas through v"the meter' will therefore cause the register to indicatelanin-y creased or reduced amount vof gas'l consumption While'both 'di-aphragms continue tolflex -re'ciprocatively through like distances. In 'this man-f ner the meter reading and performance may vbe' calibrated as desired without, as has heretofore been the practical' inflictingiupon one of' the meter diaphagms la greater-q` amount of flexural` fatiguing movement `thanI is 'performed 'by ythe otherdiaphragm;

With l'particular reference toFig.' 10, it will-'loe'A observed that if 'the partsare solconstructedand of the pinions and to Vprevent longitudinal movef related that the' angle A, say. forty degrees between the line of `adjustivemovement of collar device 81 and the axis of idler pinion 95, exactly equals the angle B between the line of adjustive movement of crank pin block 64 and Vthe said axis of idler pinion 95, then each of the three bevel pinions may be made with the same number of teeth, assuming that each o'f screws 12 and 93V are given the same number of threads per inch. Fig. 13 shows both block 64 and collar de'- vice 81 shifted to their radial outermost positions which increases the effective throw of both arms of thecrank to a maximum, while Fig. 14 shows these same parts adjusted to their radially innermost positions which decreases the effective throw of both arms of the crank to its minimum.

Fig. 15 illustrates a modiiied form of construction in which only two intermeshedbeveled gears 91 and 98 are employed and respectively xed on the Shanks of screws 12 and 12 in the same manner as pinions 94 and 18 respectively. In this case the idler pinion 95 is omitted. If angle C in Fig. 15 is maintained equal to the sum of angles A and B in Fig.'10, bevel gears 91 and 93 must be larger in diameter and require a modified shape of opening 99 in crank plate 59. The single pair of bevel gears of Fig. l will, of course, result in screws 12 and 12 being rotated in respectively opposite directions so that the thread on one of these screws, as for instance 12', will be made a left hand thread while the thread on the other screw 12 can remain a right hand thread to cause simultaneous inward movements or simultaneous outward movements of the collar device and the crank pin device.

It will be understood in regard' to the constructions of both Fig.` 10 and Fig. 15 that the metal of crank plate 59, if die cast, may be molded about the shanks of screws 12, 93, 12 and shaft 96 to form free bearings therefor.

The metal of crank plate 59 may be molded about the unthreaded shank of screw 12, 12' and/or screw 93 in a way to produce a clinging t oiering yieldable resistance to turning of these screws and thus help guard against accidental disturbance of established adjustments of the plural crank arm lengths. Also it will be understood that screw 93 instead of screw 12 may have its unthreaded shank elongated and extend past axis X to project from the crank plate 59 and thereat be atted or squared to receive the hereinbefore mentioned adjusting wrench. The angles A and B may each suitably be forty degrees.

The novel principles underlying the present improvements may be seized upon and embodied in constructions and relationships of parts diiering from those herein chosen for the purpose of illustrating the invention, and the appended claims are intended to cover all substitutes and equivalents that would be suggested by the disclosure hereof or which come within the fair meaning of their terms.

I claim: v

1. In register driving apparatus for gas meters including a rigid crank structure rotatable about a crank axis and comprising a crank plate held fast to a crank arm by a post eccentric to said axis affording axial space between said plate and arm, the combination with said crank'structure of, a collar device within said axial space surrounding said post and shiftable relative thereto,

means restricting shifting movement of said collar device to directions toward-or away from saidl from said post in the path of rotation of said crank structure adjustably carried by. said plate in a manner to project away from said space in a direction parallel to said axis, a push-pull screw having threaded and unthreaded sections one of which sections so operatively engages with said crank structure and the other of which sections so cooperatively engages with said collar device that turning of said screw shifts said collar device toward or away from said crank axis, and connections between said screw and said crank pin device constructed and arranged to convert said turning movement of the former .into adjustive movement of the latter relative to said crank structure.

2. In a flow meter, fluid operated mechanism including the combination of, a crank plate rotatable about a pivotal axis, a crank pin'device carried by said plate and adjustable relative thereto to positions relatively near and relatively far from said axis, means to constrain said device to a predetermined path of adjustive movement, a post xed on said crank plate angularly spaced from said crank pin device in a path of rotation about said axis, a collar device surrounding said post constructed and arranged to be adjustable in relation thereto to positions relatively near and relatively far from saidaxis, means to constrainv said collar device to a predetermined path of adjustive movement, and a plurality of push-pull screws operatively interconnected and arranged to shift said devices at the same time and in equal increments of adjustive movement either toward said relatively near positions or toward said relatively far positions.

3. In a ow meter, fluid operated mechanism including-the combination of, a crank plate ro`- tatable about a pivotal axis, a crank pin device carried by said plate and adjustable relative thereto to positions relatively near and relativelyl far from said axis, means to constrain said device to a predetermined path of adjustive movement, a post fixed on said crank plate angularly spaced from said crank pin device in a path of rotation about said axis, a collar device surrounding said post constructed and arranged to be adjustable in relation thereto to positions relatively near and relatively far from said axis, means to constrain said collar device to a predetermined path of adjustive movement, a plurality of push-pull screws operatively arranged to shift said devices toward said -relatively near positions and toward said which the said operative connections include at` least two intermeshed gears.

5. In a flow meter, uid operated mechanism including the combination of, a crank plate rotatable about a pivotal axis, a crank pin device carried by said plate in adjustably slidable relationthereto, means to constrain said device t0 a straight path of adjustive movement radial to said axis, a post fixed on said crank plate angularly spaced from said crank pin device in the path of crank plate rotation, a collar device surrounding said post constructed and arranged to be adjustable in relation thereto, means to constrain said collar device to a straight path of adjustive movement radial to said axis, a plurality of push-pull screws longitudinally aligned' crankaxis,y a crank pinA device angularly spaced movement and operatively arranged to shift said devices along said paths, and intermeshed bevel pinions operatively interconnecting said screws.

6. In a now meter, fluid operated mechanism including the combination of, a crank plate rotatable about a pivotal axis, a crank pin device carried by said plate in adjustably slidable relation thereto, means to constrain said device to a straight path of adjustive movement radial to said axis, a post fixed on said crank plate angularly spaced from said crank pin device in the arc of crank plate rotation, a collar device surrounding said post constructed and arranged to be adjustable in relation thereto, means to constrain said collar device to a straight path of adjustive movement radial to said axis, a plurality of push-pull screws longitudinally aligned respectively with said radial paths of adjustive movement and operatively arranged to shift said devices along said paths, and at least three intermeshed bevel pinions operatively interconnecting said screws.

7. In a flow meter, fluid operated mechanism including the combination of, a crank plate rotatable about a pivotal axis, a crank pin device carried by said plate in adjustably slidable relation thereto, means to constrain said device to a straight path of adjustive movement radial to said axis, a post fixed on said crank plate angularly spaced from said crank pin device in the arc of crank plate rotation, a collar device surrounding said post constructed and arranged to be adjustable in relation thereto, means to constrain said collar device to a straight path oi adjustive movement radial to said axis, a plurality of push-pull screws longitudinally aligned respectively with said radial paths oi adjustive movementI and operatively arranged to shift said devices along said paths, and at least three interrneshed bevel pinions operatively interconnecting said screws, the intermediate one of'said bevel pinions having its axis of rotation disposed to intersect said pivotal axis of said crank plate when projected.

8. In register driving apparatus for gas meters including a rigid crank structure rotatable about a crank axis and comprising a crank plate held fast to a crank arm by a post eccentric to said axis affording axial space between said plate and arm, the combination with said crank structure of, a collar device surrounding said post and shiftable relative thereto, means restricting shifting movement of said collar device to directions toward or away from said crank axis, a crank pin device angularly spaced from said post in the arc of rotation of said crank structure adjustably carried by said plate in a manner to project away from said space in a direction parallel to said axis, a push-pull screw having a portion of its length in threaded engagement with said collar device and an unthreaded portion of its length journaled in said crank structure, another pushpull screw having a portion of its length in threaded engagement with said crank pin device and an unthreaded portion of its length journaled in said crank structure, a train of gears operatively interconnecting the unthreaded portions of said screws including at least two gear members xed respectively on the latter, and thrust means to prevent longitudinal movement of each of said screws in relation to said crank structure.

9. In register driving apparatus as set forth in claim 8, the combination defined in said claim, in which said train of gears includes an intermediate idler gear member intenneshed with each of said fixed gear members, and in which the said crank structure is provided with an aperture occupied by all of the said gear members, said aperture having Side walls serving as the said thrust means and serving also as an axial thrust abutment for said idler gear member.

10. In register driving apparatus for gas meters including a rigid crank structure rotatable about a crank axis and comprising a crank plate held fast to a crank arm by a post eccentric to said axis acrding axial space between said plate and arm, the combination with said crank structure of, a collar device within said axial space surrounding said post and shiftable relative thereto, means restricting shifting movement of said collar device to directions toward or away7 from said crank axis, a crank pin device angularly spaced from said post in the path of rotation of said crank structure adjustably carried by said plate in a manner to project away from said space in a direction parallel to said axis, a push-pull screw having threaded and unthreaded sections one of which sections so operatively engages with said crank structure and the other of which sections so cooperatively engages with said crank pin device that turning of' said screw shifts said crank pin device toward or away from said crank axis, and connections between said screw and said collar device including intermeshed gears constructed and arranged to convert said turning movement of said screw into adjustive movement of said collar device relative to said crank structure.

11. In register driving adjustable crank apparatus for flow meters, the combination of a crank plate rotatable about a given axis, a post fixed on and outstanding from said plate in a direction parallel with said axis, a collar having an opening therethrough elongated transversely thereof and occupied by said post, and means to guide said collar to positions of diiering eccentricity in relation to said post including portions of said collar and crank plate mutually engaging independently of said post and externally of said opening in said collar.

12. In register driving adjustable crank apparatus for flow meters, the combination defined in claim 11, in which the said mutually engaging portions include an elongated aperture in the said crank plate and a lug carried by the said collar in offset relation to the center of the latter occupying and slidably fitting the width of said aperture.

13. In register driving adjustable crank apparatus for flow meters, the combination defined in claim 11, in which the said collar incorporates a fixed nut-like portion, together with a screw journaled in the sai-d crank plate having threaded engagement with said nut-like portion of said collar for propelling the latter adjustively.

14. In register driving adjustable crank apparatus for ilow meters, the combination dened in claim 11, in which the said crank plate contains an elongated aperture, together with a lug carried by said collar slidably occupying said aperture, and a screw journaled in said crank plate occupying said aperture and having threaded engagement with said lug.

15. In register driving adjustable crank apparatus for flow meters, the combination of a rotatable crank plate, a post iixed on said plate in perpendicular relation thereto, and an adjustable collar device comprising a hollow inverted cup surrounding said post having a roof wall containing an elongated slot through which said post extends, said cup having an external annular iiange in sliding engagement with the face of said crank plate.

16. In register driving adjustable crank apparatus for flow meters, the combination of a rotatable crank plate containing an elongated aperture, a post iiXed on said plate in perpendicular relation thereto, and an adjustable collar device comprising a hollow inverted cup surrounding said post having a roof Wall containing an elongated slot through which said post extends, said cup having an external annular iiange in sliding engagement with the face of said crank plate overlying edges of said aperture and provided with anrextension forming a guide lug occupying and slidably fitting the width of said aperture.

17. In register driving apparatus as set forth in claim 8, the combination defined in said claim, in which the said crank structure is provided with an aperture occupied by the said gear members, and the said thrust means comprises side Walls of said aperture arranged to be engaged by said gear members. f*

18. In a flow meter, fluidoperated mechanism including the combination defined in claim 3, together with means frictionally resisting the shifting of at least one vof the said devices by the said plurality of push-pull screws whereby the said operative connections operate totransmit such frictional resistance of said means to the other of the said devices. Y

ARTHUR S. MCINTIRE. 

